Application of a finite-element model to low-frequency sound insulation indwellings

The sound transmission between adjacent rooms has been modeled using a fini te-element method. Predicted sound-level difference gave good agreement wit h experimental data using a full-scale and a quarter-scale model. Results s how that the sound insulation characteristics of a party wall at low freque ncies strongly depend on the modal, characteristics of the sound field of b oth rooms and of the partition. The effect of three edge conditions of the separating wall on the sound-level difference at low frequencies was examin ed: simply supported, clamped, and a combination of clamped and simply supp orted. It is demonstrated that a clamped partition provides greater sound-l evel difference at low frequencies than a simply supported. It also is conf irmed that the sound-pressure level difference is lower in equal room than in unequal room configurations. (C) 2000 Acoustical Society of America. [S0 001-4966(00)05510-7].